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KNOW YOUR
CITY COMMISSIONERS BETTER
TINA RYAN - OR - BRYAN SKARUPSKI?
SCOTT DENNISON - OR - ROYCE NELSON?
This is part three of three
The Cedar Key City Commission has two open seats that will be voted upon on Election Day, May 6, 2014. In the interest of a more informed public, the Cedar Key News is providing two services to you, the reader.
The first service is the candidates’ written responses to three questions which you may read here on the News. On April 15th the first question was published and on April 16th the second question was published. Today, April 17th, we are publishing the candidates’ response to the third question.
The second service is the Candidate Forum where you will be able to watch and join your fellow residents in asking the candidates pertinent questions regarding the city’s operation. Mark your calendar and come to the Candidate Forum on Thursday, April 24, 2014, at 6pm, at the Cedar Key Library upstairs meeting room.
Below you will find the responses to the third question:
With the exception of raising taxes and millage rates,
how would you balance or decrease the city’s budget?
Tina Ryan, Incumbent
Response to Question 3
We certainly have been affected by the lower property values and the agriculture exemptions which have reduced property values by $150M over the past years. This has made it difficult to meet our expenses without eliminating or reducing services. I was appointed to the Commission when the new budget was being presented. It was very challenging to fund much needed work given the limited anticipated revenue. Every City has been affected by reduced tax revenue and decisions have to be made to cut expenses, without neglecting the maintenance of City property or the services to our residents. On the revenue side, one option is to fairly charge use fees to the people who use City owned facilities to help fund the maintenance costs. I believe that future projects must be looked at in terms of not only the initial cost, but the on-going cost of maintenance, staff requirements and replacement cost weighed against the benefits to our residents. These challenges are the main reason that my focus is on accurate financial record keeping so that the Commission can make educated decisions on how our money is spent now and how much money must be committed in the future.
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Bryan Skarupski - Challenger
Response to Question 3
- Increase the boat launch fee from $10 to $12 creating approximately $19,200 in revenue.
- By eliminating Virgil and Roberts extra workload Approximately $16,925 + $1,295( fica ) = savings of $18,220.
- I, probably better than anyone, know the importance of a police presence on Dock St. on the weekends, however the city is in financial turmoil. After studying the budget I believe the police department is over funded. The national average for a city of 1,000 residents is 2.3 full time officers which cost each resident $260 per year. Cedar Key has 4 full time, 6 part time at a cost of approximately $535 per resident. I believe we could reduce the force to 4 full time and 1 part time officer. The work hours from approximately 237 hours to 176 hours per week, the schedule could something like this.
Sunday thru Thursday two officers, one would work 6am to 5pm the other 5pm to 4am. Friday and Saturday would have three officers, one 6am to 5pm, one from 5pm to 4am and one from 8pm to 7am.
This would save, basing the average hourly wage for part time at $13.50 an hour a yearly sum of $34,587 + $2,645 ( fica ) = $37,233 in payroll, $3,000 in uniforms, $12,000 in car maintenance (+ the monies made from selling two police cars), $4,000 in training\physicals. for a total of $56,233 + car sales.
- I would also sell the fire boat if possible hoping to gain another $40,000.
These four steps would total $133,653. This money could help offset the CRA operating budget of $102,545 which in my opinion belongs under the City Operating budget.
- Change the thinking of City hall to an innovative way by embracing the idea of using our city more as a profit generating entity. We should help organizations like the Small boat, Pirates, Mustang club, The Smithsonian and any other possible organizations to plan their events on a yearly basis in Cedar Key.
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Scott Dennison - Incumbent
Response to Question 3
The City budget has always been in balance as required by City Charter and State law.
The City has:
7 full-time employees budgeted with 1 full-time CRA employee, who provides maintenance for the CRA funded properties.
City staff provides 7x24x365 police/fire protection along with all the daily public services our 700+ residents and thousands of visitors require.
Should we eliminate our Fire Department? Would we save tax money?
- City taxpayers currently pay about $40,000 and receive $65,000 from Levy County, under our agreement.
- Eliminating our fire department, all City property owners would be assessed the Levy County fire tax.
- The County fire tax is $90 for a home, and $200 to $2,000 on average for commercial buildings per year.
- Based upon these rates, City tax payers would likely pay $60,000 to $80,000 in County fire tax each year.
Should we eliminate our 7x24x365 Police Department? Should we rely on one zone deputy to respond to Cedar Key citizens? Would we pay the Sheriff more to provide the same level of services?
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City tax payers fund about $315,000 for 7x24x365 protection.
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Inglis pays the Sheriff $276,000 plus donated 3 cars without 7x24x365 coverage
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Royce Nelson - Challenger
Response to Question 3
The City has several assets that in my opinion could be used to bring income to the City to offset relying only on taxes. I am excited about cleaning up these areas and making them more profitable and creating a focal point the people of Cedar Key can be proud of. I also hope that we make sure that as we make improvements in the future, those projects have a goal in mind and not done just because a grant is available, creating future expenses and liabilities. I promise to make sure that all future projects are completed and followed through on, to insure the job is done right. In addition, I believe our City government needs to be more of a partner with both the citizens, current businesses and future businesses wishing to locate in Cedar Key. I would love to see our City government become more proactive instead of being reactive to the ideas of its citizens and businesses. Closing on this note…. “Sometimes less is more”!
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Got more questions?
Need more answers?
Attend the Forum
Thursday, 24 April at 6pm
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